Step and repeat film holder



y 1, 1952 E. NINEBERG 2,601,804

STEP AND REPEAT FILM HOLDER Filed June '7, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet l IN V ENTOR. a W Kr w y 1, 1952 E. NINEBERG 2,601,804

STEP AND REPEAT FILM HOLDER Filed June 7, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 d7 22 I\a 60 A I I 4 W 7' 2 I t h C) GD :5 j 74 O; I 3 l TB: "-1 2 6/ A H "424/ INVENTOR.

BY M,

July 1, 1952 E. NINEBERG 2,601,804

STEP AND REPEAT FILM HOLDER Filed June 7, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet s y 1,1952 E. NINEBERG 2,601,804

STEP AND REPEAT FILM HOLDER Filed June 7, 1950 '6 Sheets-Sheet 4 II A? II I I I I I,

I I H I j I I I A?) I I 4 7 /f7- i I III 5 Ii II l l l I I /Z9 I II u Im I I /z/ j I? l /77 I I II I I I I 1 o INVENTOR.

July 1, 1952 E. NINEBERG STEP AND REPEAT FILM HOLDER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed June '7, l950 INVENTOR.

July 1, 1952 E. NINEBERG STEP AND REPEAT FILM HOLDER 6 Sheets-Sheet 6Filed June '7. 1950 dZ/md BY INVENTOR.

desired successive portions" of then Patented July 1, 1952 uni-recsTA-TEs PATENT OFFICE 2,601,804 seer Ash hers rim HOLii-Eit EdwardNiheb'erg, 'Chi cago,;I ll-.-, assighor to Benjamin Sugarman; Chicago,Ill; aiiiiiicetieh Janet, 1950, seiiai Ne. is'tfilai (Cl. 88 m) .713-Claims. 1

This invention relates to photo 'process cam?- eras such as are used inthe photograp'h-ic step in making half tones 93nd other plates for thevarious ordinary a fit g processes using ink; In the use of Slichcameras; there are occasions when it is desirable to alie a number ofdif ferent exposures, each accurately spaces, on one film. For example,in making the plate for printing a sheet of stamps, identical labels orthe like, the drawings for a single such stam or label may be used-3aphoto'g'raph beihjg taken thereof on each section er the film furiti-lthere are ultimately thessme n'u'mloer of photographs on the film aswill appear in the' firialshet; and with the same spacihg. some ihes thefinished product is to appear in'mo'r e thari on'e colorm which caseaseparate iii'm isusd for eachcolor and the successive photograpli s'must be placed thereonwith such accuracy that'there will he perfectregistration throughout positioning the different colors as they areprinted; I I

According to the present invention, a step-and repe'at'mounting for acamerahaok is provided by which the film carrier may he moved suc'cess'ively by predetermined amounts to place :he at he aperture throughwhich the drawing being 'piioto= graphedmay be viewed. This" isaccomplished by mounting the fii'ihh oereo that itmay move verticallyarid horizontaliy with such accurate guidance that it does hot'r'novethe film from the focal plane or tilt it in any direction; and providingaccurate means for making the successive desired movements. The lattermay be said to-be the heart of the inventi'oh; lit' comprises a fixedstop andari adjustable stop, the latter being arranged to beaceurateiyset bya micro' reading gauge and I a cooperative positioi iing bracket which, whiie ehgagementwith the fixed" stop can bemcked tothe rum carrier and moved with it into engagement with the ad J'us'tedstop. This reliably gives the'film holder a movement represented by thedistance between the stops and canberepe'ati'ed overand over to give thedesired number of positictiingis orthe in one direction. A likearrangement is provided for the perpendicular direction to" give thedesired number oi movements in that irection.

Additional objects a a advantages of the invention' will be apparentfrom the following de scriptiori and I the drawhigs".

Figure 1 isaireementery view or the fil-fit' em of the camera and is ageneral front view or the emhodim'eht of the invention chosen forillustra'tioh;

igure 2' is a fragmehtar-y view illustratihg' the spacing of separatelyexposes photographs on a film,

Fret-ire 3 is a fragmentary vertical setiorial viewtali'e'r'i'aehresaimateiy oh the lih 3- 3' of Figure 1 I 4 rigor-e 4' tea detailvertical seetieh'ai view taken approximately on the line 1 4 of Fig'iirI,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail view looking down on the arts shown"uhde'r the line 5-5 of Figure 1, these parts being moved together,Figure 6 is a vievif showing the parts seen in F ure 5 as theywould beseen from the rear of thecamera, with some part's shovvn in section,

Figure 7 is a vertical sectionall view taken approximately on the line1-1 of Figure 6 with a portion proken away to the position 1', H V

Figure 8 a simil ar view taken approximately on Pi 1. 9 5 .9; F f 51 e sFigure 9 is a similar view taken approximately on the line 9-9 of Figure6, p

Figure 10 is a fragmentary detail view showing the parts as seen-fromtheright of the camera in Figure 1,- the framework beingbroken away toshowvital parts as seenfrom the line IO -4!) of lifigure 1; but with theparts moved together. 7 Figure 11 is a view of the parts seen in- Figurewas seen from the rear ofthe-camera, and

1 Figure 12- is a fragmentaryhorizontal sectional view takenapproximately on the line I-2--l'2 of Figure 14 General description Thepurposeof" the invention is to facilitate the accurate positioning of afilm-carrying frame I! through a series of positions. The frame Hmayca'rfy vertically adjustable holdi ng'bars i2 for holdinga glassplate having a light sensitive film thereon, or 'avaeuumback ID for"holding flexible him. The term film is used herein to include both typesof film or any other photosensitive member. The purpose of positioningthe frame ll through a series of positions isto expose successivelyportions of the film to: light reaching it throughair aperture l3; in amask 14. For example, in making printing plate for the large scaleprinting ofia given label, a drawing showing that label will be mountedin the camera's copy holder and will be repeatedly photographed onsuccessive portions I5 of a film It as indicated in Figure 2 fo'piovideon the film a large number' of identical photographs of the originaldrawing. A plate made from this film will be used to print large sheetsof paper, and a stack of such sheets may be sliced along the linesbetween the rows of labels to produce the separate labels. Thus in Fig.2, each of these separate photographs corresponds to a label which willultimately be cut from a sheet after printing.

Accurate spacing of the photographs I! on the film I6 is necessary sothat the rows of labels may be sliced apart without trimming or crowdingthe printed matter of the individual labels and so that the resultinglabels will be of the desired size. In some instances, even greateraccuracy is required. For example, when a label is to be printed in morethan one color, the successive impressions must register with oneanother perfectly. This means that the successive films must have theseries of separate photographs thereon positioned with accuracy orsimultaneous registration of all of the labels would be impossible.

Although the law requires a full and exact description of at least oneform of the invention, such as that which follows, it is, of course, thepurpose of a patent to cover each new inventive concept therein, nomatter how it may later be disguised by variations in form or additionsof further improvements; and the appended claims are intended toaccomplish this purpose by particularly pointing out the parts,improvements or combinations in which the inventive concepts are found.

General operation The general method of operation can perhaps be mademore clear by assuming first that the frame I has been positioned at theright height and it is desired to make a series of exposures to form ahorizontal row of photographs across the film. To this end an adjustablestop block 2| is accurately positioned, with the help of a microreadinggauge 22, at the proper distance from a fixed stop block 23 to providethe desired length of movement in the successive movements. The mannerof making this adjustment is described below. The frame II is then runto the right along lower track 24 and upper track 26 to the desiredposition for the first exposure. After this exposure is made, gaugeblock 21 is moved against fixed stop block 23 and locked to a rod 28rigidly mounted on frame Frame II is then moved to the left until gaugeblock 21 strikes stop block 2|. Thus the frame II and the film carriedby it are accurately moved the predetermined distance represented by thesetting of stop block 2|. After the exposure for taking the desiredphotograph in this position, the gauge block 21 is released from rod 28,moved to the right to again lie against fixed stop block 23, locked torod 28 and again moved with frame I! until gauge block 21 again strikesstop block 2|. Thus a second movement of frame and the film carried byit is made which exactly equals the first movement. This operation isrepeated until the desired row of photographs has been taken.

The horizontal tracks 24 and 26 are mounted on a vertical carriage 29which can be raised and lowered by accurate steps to position the filmaccurately for additional horizontal rows successively above or belowthe first row. The manner of accomplishing the accurate verticalmovements is similar to the manner already described for the horizontalmovements.

Detailed Description Figure 3 shows particularly the'construction andmounting of the tracks by which the movements are guided. Great accuracyis necessary in order that the film will not depart from the focal planeand in order that the movements be straight line movements at exactright angles to one another. In Figure 3 the film holding frame I isclearly seen to be guided by horizontal tracks 24 and 26. A each cornerof frame I is mounted a roll carrier 3|. The lower carrier has rotatablymounted therein a roller 32 resting on the top of track 24 forsupporting the weight of frame A pair of rollers 33 extend downwardlyfrom roll carrier 3| to engage the sides of track 24. Similar rolls 33engage the sides of upper track 26. The track 24 may be adjusted in thefactory for exact horizontal movement (or movement at exactly from thevertical movement) by jack screws 34 and is clamped permanently in placeby screws 36. The upper rail 26 may be similarly positioned, althoughthere is no need for quite the same degree of accuracy, inasmuch as thebottom surface of this rail does not need to be used.

The rails 24 and 26 are carried by crossbeams 31 which form part ofvertical carriage 29. The

- guidance of this carriage is seen best in Figure 12.

Pairs of rollers 38 engage the edges of vertical tracks 39 and, neareach corner of vertical carriage 29, pairs of rollers 4| engage frontand rear faces of the same tracks.

Preferably all of the rollers are adjustable by means of eccentricbushings 42 so as to engage the rails with just the desired snugness.The bushings 42 may be locked in place once adjusted by tightening splitholders 43.

The vertical tracks 39 may be secured to the main camera frame 44 (Fig.12), the face of which may be machined to present a fiat bearing surfacefor the track 39.

The movable structure may be counterwei-ghted as indicated bycounterweight chains 45 (Fig. 1) which are attached to 'upper crossbeam31 of vertical carriage 29 and extend upwardly around sprockets, notshown, and downwardly to counterweights not shown. The vertical frame ismoved upwardly or downwardly by turning a hand wheel 41 (Fig. l) which,as seen in Fig. 10, indirectly drives a worm 48 which drives a wormwheel 49 on shaft 5|. As seen best in Fig. 12, shaft 5|, operatingthrough bevel gears 52, drives elevating gears 53 of the spur type whichrun on stationary racks 54 to raise and lower the vertical carriage 29.

Step and repeat details The details of the step and repeat gaugingdevice are seen best in Figs. 4 to 9. As previously mentioned, the gaugeblock 21 may be locked to bar 28 which is rigidly carried by filmcarrying frame The locking should be very positive, but should becapable of being applied to any point. For this reason, a clamp type oflooking is preferred. Thus as seen in Fig. 4, the shaft 28 passesthrough a clamp portion of block 21 which may be tightened on shaft 28by screw 56 and a suitable handle 51. v

Gauge block 21 also is provided with a downwardly extending extension 58which carries a spindle 59 wh ch may be turned by hand wheel 6|. Thisrotates a traversing gear 62 which moves along stationary rack 63 tomove the film carrying frame [I laterally. The rack 63 may be secured inthe bottom of a stationary bar 64 carried by brackets 66 on lower beam31 of vertical carriage 29. The word stationary is here used in arelative sense in recognition of the fact when , a that during" thetraversing operation by hand wheel 6|, the vertical carriage 29 will bestationary.

As previously mentioned, the stop blocks 23 and 2| are set to permit anexactly measured movement of gauge block 21. Fixed stop block 23 willordinarily be set at the factory and need not be moved. As seen best inFig. 9, its lower left 'endforms a split clamp which may be tightenedabout bar 64 by screw 61.

It may be noted at this point that whenever desired, the frame l| may belocked against lateral movement by turning handle 68. Handle 68 ismounted on a screw which is threaded into a yoke 69 and presses a slug1| against rod 28 to clamp the yoke 69 to rod 28. Yoke 69' has a snugfit in a vertical slot in stop block 23.

In setting adjustablestop block. 2| for a given length of movement ofgauge block 21, the microreading gauge 22 is used. This gauge is onesimilar to gauges sometimes called thickness gauges, and includes apointer which is operated by feeler shaft or plunger 12, the gauge dialbeing calibrated in units representing .001 inch. Thus the position ofthe end of feeler shaft 12 may be read to the thousandth of an inch. Thegauge 22 is carried by a clamp block 13. As seen in Fig. '1, the clampblock 13 may be positioned accurately on bar 64 by a tapered pin 14'which fits the block 13 snugly and engages accurately machined holes 16in bar 64. In this manner the clamp block 13 may be positionedaccurately at successive even inches along bar 64. The factory settingof stop block 23 on bar 64 and of microgauge 22 in clamp block 13 issuch thatwith the clamp block thus positionedand the gauge block 21 inengagement with the stop block 23, the microreading gauge 22 will readzero. This of course is assuming that the pin 14 is in the zero hole 16.This hole will ordinarily be used only in making the factory adjustment.Ita, movement of exactly one inch is desired, the pin 14 can be set inthe one-inch. hole and the gauge block 21 moved from against the stopblock 23 until the microreading gauge 22 indicates zero. Of course itwill be rare that the desired movement happens to be exactly one or moreinches. Ordinarily the gauge block 21 will be moved some given fractionof an inch more. or less than an even number of inches.

The easiest way to accomplish the initial setting of the parts is to setthe clamp block 13 with the pin 14 in the inch hole beyond the desiredsetting, then move the stop block 2| to the left of the desired setting,releasing it and drawing it left by turning a microset screw 11, thenmoving gauge block 21 against the stop block 2| and finally moving bothstop block 2| and gauge block 21 by turning screw 11 until themicroreading gauge 22 reads the desired number of thousandths of aninch, indicating the correct positioning of stop block 2| for thedesired. movement of gauge block 21. Stop block 2| is then clamped inplace by turning screw 18 with handle 19. As seen in Fig. 8, stop block2| is in the form of a clamp tightened about bar 64 by screw 18.

At this stage a trial movement of the film holder may be made by lockinggauge block 21 to it (by screw 56) and turning hand wheel 6| to moveclamp block 21 away from stop block 2| and back, against stop block 2|to make, sure the clamp block 13 so that microreading gauge 22 will havea zero reading when the gauge block 21 rests against stop block 2|. Thiscan be accomplished by withdrawing pin 14 and moving the clamp block 13(also called a reference block) by turning microset screw 11 until themicroreading gauge reads zero with gauge block 21 against stop block 2|.The clamp block 13 is then looked in this position by a clamp in thisclamp block operated by handle 80. In the successive traversingoperations, it will now be possible for the operator to move gauge block21 against stop block 2| and glance at gauge 22 to make sure that itreads zero. This reassures him that the movement is exact.

After the first traversing movement in which the film holding frame I ismoved to the left in taking a series of photographs, the operator willrelease clamp screw 56 to free the gauge block 21 from the film holderand will move the gauge block 21 to the right against stop block 23 andagain tighten screw 56 to clamp gauge block 21 to rod 28 and hence tofilm holding frame I for he next movement. Again the operator will wishto reassure himself that gauge block 21 was properly positioned againststop block 23. He may do thisby glancing at another microreading gauge8|. This microgauge is identical with microreading gauge 22 except thatit may have a shorter feeler shaft 82. It is set at the factory to readzero with the gauge block 21 resting against stop block23.

As will be recognized from the drawings, stop blocks 2| and 23 and gaugeblock 21 are provided with raised gauge lugs 83 on anvils, the faces ofwhich may be machined to be flat and parallel for the greatestdependability of accuracy, and may be of hardened tool steel or thelike.

Elevating details The details of the mechanism for gauging thesuccessive elevating movements of vertical carriage 29 are best seen inFigs. 10 and i1. Inasmuch as they are substantially identical with thetraverse gauging devices already described, they need not be describedin detail. The major difference is that instead of using a single drivegear such as that carried by gauge block 21 and shown in Fig. 4, theelevating mechanism already described and operated by hand wheel 41 ispreferred. For the vertical movement, this has two advantages. By usinga gear and rack at each side of vertical carriage 21, smoother operationand greater accuracy are insured. By including a worm drive as seen atthe top of Fig. 10, selflocking characteristics are provided. Thus thereis no danger that the vertical carriage will be moved accidentally inthe event of inaccurate counterbalancing or for other reasons. Suchself-locking is especially desirable because if the counterbalancingweight is chosen to balance the. movable structure with a plate carriedby it, it will be inadequate when the heavier vacuum back is usedinstead of the plate.

Thegauge devices in Figs. 10 and 11 have been given numberscorresponding to the traversing gauging parts already described exceptthat each is preceded by the digit 1. Thus vertical gauge block I21corresponds to traversing gauge block 21 although the hand wheel 6| andassociated parts are omitted. The gauge block I21 is clamped to rod 128-by operation of handle I51. Gauge block, I21 operates between adjustablestop block l2! andfix d stop blo k 3.;p rma nently secured to rod |64.At present, stop block [23 has been shown as provided with a clamprepresented by handle 68 for clamping rod I28 against movement, but thismay be found unnecessary when the illustrated type of elevating drivewith its self-locking worm gears is used. Clamping block H3 carryingmicroreading gauge it? may be substantially identical with clampingblock 2'3, gauge block l2l with gauge block 2|, screw ill with screw TI,and gauge l8! with gauge 8!.

It will be recognized that this invention involves precision mechanismand accurate machining is important. For example, the various slidingblocks fit quite snugly to the rods on which they slide to substantiallyeliminate even minute canting. Perhaps microscopic canting cannot beeliminated, but it is rendered harmless by positioning each series ofthe gauge anvils 83 in approximate alignment. Thus the two gauge feelersand their associated gauge anvils are aligned on one line, and the othergauge anvils are approximately aligned on another line not far displacedfrom the first line.

From the foregoing, it is seen that a step and repeat mechanism orcamera back provide highly accurate spacing of a series of exposures onone film to meet the most exacting requirements.

I claim:

1. A step and repeat camera mechanism including a film holder carriage,means for movably mounting the carriage, a gauge block, means forrealeasably securing the gauge block to the carriage at successivepositions thereon, a fixed stop block supported to limit the movement ofthe gauge block in one direction, an adjustable stop block adjustablypositioned to limit the movement of the gauge block in the oppositedirection and microgauge means for setting the adjustable stop block,including a reference block, pin means for positioning the referenceblock for movements of integral units, microgauge means for indicatingthe spacing between the reference block and the adjustable stop block,and screw means for moving the adjustable stop block.

. 2. A step and repeat camera mechanism including a film holdercarriage, means for movably mounting the carriage, a gauge block, meansfor releasably securing the gauge block to the carriage at successivepositions thereon, a fixed stop block supported to limit the movement ofthe gauge block in one direction, an adjustable stop block adjustablypositioned to limit the movement of the gauge block in the oppositedirection and microgauge means for setting the adjustable stop block,including a reference block, interengaging means for positioning thereference block for movements of integral units, microgauge means forindicating the spacing between the reference block and the adjustablestop block, and microscrew means for moving the adjustable stop block.

3. A step and repeat camera mechanism including a film holder carriage,means for movably mounting the carriage, a gauge block, means forreleasably securing the gauge block to the carriage at successivepositions thereon, a fixed stop block supported to limit the movement ofthe gauge block in one direction, an adjustable stop block adjustablypositioned to limit the movement of the gauge block in the oppositedirection and microgauge means for determining the position of theadjustable stop block.

4. A step and repeat camera mechanism including a film holder carriage,means for movably mounting the carriage, a gauge block, means forreleasably securing the gaugeblock to the carriage at successivepositions thereon, a fixed stop block supported to limit the movement ofthe gauge block in one direction, an adjustable stop block adjustablypositioned to limit the movement of the gauge block in the oppositedirection, microgauge means'for determining the position of theadjustable stop block, and micro-movement means for positioning theadjustable stop block.

5. A step and repeat cameramechanism including a film holder carriage,means for movably mounting the carriage, a gauge block, means forreleasably securing the gauge block to the carriage at successivepositions thereon, a fixed stop block supported to limit the movement ofthe gauge block in one direction, and an adjustable stop blockadjustably positioned to limit the movement of the gauge block in theopposite direction.

6. A step and repeat camera mechanism including a film holder carriage,means for movably mounting'the carriage including parallel tracks androllers adjustably carried by the carriage for engaging said tracks onvarious sides thereof to guide the carriage accurately with respectthereto, means for movably mounting the carriage, a gauge'block, meansfor releasably securing the gauge block to the carriage at successivepositions thereon, a fixed stop block supported to limit the movement ofthe gauge block in one direction, and an adjustable stop blockadjustably positioned to limit the movement of the gauge block in theopposite direction.

7. A tep and repeat camera mechanism including a' film holder carriage,means for movably mounting the carriage, a gauge block, means forreleasably securing the gauge block to the carriage at successivepositions thereon, a fixed stop block supported to limit the movement ofthe gauge block in one direction, and an adjustable stop blockadjustably positioned to limit the movement of the gauge block in theopposite direction, said blocks being provided with aligned gauge anvilshaving accurately machined faces.

8. A step and repeat'camera mechanism including a film holder carriage,means for movably mounting the carriage, a gauge block, means forreleasably securing the gauge block to the carriage at successivepositions thereon, a second carriage, a fixed stop block supported onthe second carriage to limit the movement of the gauge block in onedirection, an adjustable stop block adjustably positioned to limit themovement of the gauge block in the opposite direction, and means formounting the second carriage for movement perpendicular to the movementof the film holder carriage.

9. A step and repeat camera mechanism includ-' ing a film holdercarriage, means for movably mounting the carriage, a gauge block, meansfor releasably securing the gauge block to the carriage at successivepositions thereon, a second carriage, a fixed stop block supported onthe second carriage to limit the movement of the gauge block in onedirection, an adjustable stop block. adjustably positioned to limit themovement of the gauge block in the opposite direction, and similar meansincluding fixed stop, gauge block and adjustable stop block for thesecond carriage.

10. A step and repeat camera mechanism including a film holder carriage,means for movably mounting the carriage, a gauge block, means forreleasably securing the gauge block to the carriage at successivepositions thereon, a second carriage, a fixed stop block supported onthe secnd carriage to limit the movement of the gauge block in onedirection, an adjustable stop block adjustably positioned to limit themovement of the gauge block in the opposite direction, and similar meansincluding fixed stop, gauge block and adjustable stop for the secondcarriage, one of said carriages being vertically movable, and means formoving it vertically including spaced parallel gear racks, rigidlyassociated pinions rotatably engaging the racks and means for drivingthe pinions.

11. A step and repeat camera mechanism including a film holder carriage,means for movably mounting the carriage, a gauge block, means forreleasably securing the gauge block to the carriage at successivepositions thereon, a second carriage, a fixed stop block supported onthe second carriage to limit the movement of the gauge block in onedirection, an adjustable stop block adjustably positioned to limit themovement of the gauge block in the opposite direction, and similar meansincluding fixed stop, gauge block and adjustable stop for the secondcarriage, one of said carriages being vertically movable, and means formoving it vertically including spaced parallel gear racks, rigidlyassociated pinions rotatably engaging the racks and self-locking meansfor driving the pinions.

12. A step and repeat camera mechanism including a fihn holder carriage,means for movably mounting the carriage, agauge block, slide means forslidably mounting the gauge block on the carriage, means for releasablysecuring the gauge block at any position along the slide means, a fixedstop block supported to limit the movement of the gauge block in onedirection, an adjustable 10 stop block, slide means for mounting theadjustable stop block, means for adjustably positioning the adjustablestop block at any point on its slide means to limit the movement of thegauge block in the opposite direction.

13. A step and repeat camera mechanism including a film holder carriage,means for movably mounting the carriage, a gauge block, slide means forslidably mounting the gauge block on the carriage, means for releasablysecuring the gauge block at any position along the slide means, a fixedstop block supported to limit the movement of the gauge block in onedirection, an adjustable stop block, slide means for mounting theadjustable stop block, means for adjustably positioning the adjustablestop block at any point on its slide means to limit the movement of thegauge block in the opposite direction, microgauge means for setting theadjustable stop block, including a reference block, interengaging meansfor positioning the reference block for movements of integral units,microgauge means for indicating the spacing between the reference blockand the adjustable stop block, and microscrew means for moving theadjustable stop block.

EDWARD NINEBERG:

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,131,631 Pilkington Mar. 9, 19151,668,562 Huebner May 8, 1928

